Those options are to continue with the stadium as it is and spend $33 million over the next 10 years for its upkeep. Or put that money towards a combination of fit-for-purpose facilities for indoor and outdoor sports. If that $33m isn’t enough, part of the land around the precinct would be sold off to make up the shortfall.
The numbers for North Harbour Stadium are grim.
It made an operating loss of $2.6m last year and the forecast future capital spend over the next 10 years is $32.9m.
For the 2022/23 financial year, ratepayers subsidised every attendee to an event there to the tune of $35.68.
Hill said sporting organisations and promoters have decided they want to take their events elsewhere and dropping the price for hiring the facility isn’t a solution.
“They have got other choices and there’s a general perception that it’s further away,” he said.
“That’s a model that the franchises are looking for. Getting up above 10,000 is very difficult and it begs the question of whether you’re better to be slightly smaller, with more demand and a better atmosphere. Or do you design it for the largest crowd you might get? And that comes with a higher cost.
“If the community wants to explore a different sized stadium, those are the sorts of discussions that need to be had.”
